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Mac mini Model A1347 Optical Drive Replacement

Replace your mini's super multi DVD rewriter.

Author: Andrew Bookholt
Difficulty: Difficult

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Use this guide to completely replace your optical drive. Replacing the logic board requires removal of the logic board along with most other components in your mini. Also, reattaching the thermal sensors may require rubber cement.

Sections

Bottom Cover 2 steps
Fan 3 steps
Cowling 2 steps
Antenna Plate 4 steps
Logic Board 9 steps
Power Supply 4 steps
Optical Drive 3 steps
Optical Drive Replacement 7 steps

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Edit Step 1 — Bottom Cover ¶

Place your thumbs in the depressions cut into the bottom cover.
Rotate the bottom cover counter-clockwise until the white dot painted on the bottom cover is aligned with the ring inscribed on the outer case.

Edit Step 2 ¶

Tilt the mini enough to allow the bottom cover to fall away from the outer case.
Remove the bottom cover and set it aside.

Edit Step 3 — Fan ¶

Remove the two 11.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the fan to the logic board near the antenna plate.

Edit Step 4 ¶

Lift the ear of the fan nearest the RAM up off the standoff secured to the outer case.

Edit Step 5 ¶

Lift the fan out of the mini for enough clearance to access its connector.
Carefully pull the fan cables upward to lift the fan connector up out of its socket on the logic board.
Remove the fan.

Edit Step 6 — Cowling ¶

Remove the single 3.5 mm T6 Torx screw securing the cowling to the heat sink.

Edit Step 7 ¶

Lift the cowling from the end nearest the antenna plate.
Rotate the cowling away from the outer case and remove it from the mini.

Edit Step 8 — Antenna Plate ¶

Remove the following screws securing the antenna plate to the mini:
- Two 6.6 mm T8 Torx screws
- Two 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screws (either will work)